Start warm, stay warm.

Whether you’re riding in hot weather or cold, your body is producing moisture. Efficient moisture management is extremely important in any weather because your body fatigues much more rapidly with even slight variations in core temperature, which fluctuate more based on perspiration. The Gore Bike Wear WS Thermo Base Layer is specifically designed for use in the cooler months to maintain your core temperature through efficient moisture management and windproof protection.

There are really two parts to how the WS Thermo Base Layer helps your body maintain its core temperature while you ride. The first is moisture management. Your body has a much more difficult time regulating its temperature when your skin is wet. The combination of an internal hydrophobic fabric (100% polyester) with an external hydrophilic fabric (100% polyester) pulls moisture away from your body to keep your skin dry and aid in temperature regulation. The second part is protection from the weather. Gore uses WindStopper windproof membrane to shield your skin from wind and help your body maintain its core temperature. These two aspects of Windstopper fabric work together to increase your efficiency and performance.

The WS Thermo Base Layer increases comfort in other ways, as well. Mechanical stretch panels (88% polypropylene, 8% elastane, 4% nylon) ensure maximum range of motion and increase durability by stretching instead of tearing. Gore designed the WS Thermo with as few seams as possible, since they cause irritation. Where seams were necessary, Gore used flatlock seams, which cause less chafing than the traditional variety. Finally, Gore designed the WS Thermo with a low cut back to give you full coverage in the seated position.

The Gore Bike Wear WS Thermo Base Layer comes in White/light grey or Black. It’s available in sizes Small to XX-Large.

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Works well, windstopper ok.

Fit: True to size

Size Bought: Medium

I bought this for the windstopper protection and what looks like good ventilation. I tried it as an alternative to a windstopping jacket on a few days in the lower 30s. With this, armwarmers, and a jersey it was not warm enough on the descents, in comparison to non-windstopping baselayer with windstopping jacket. It does say on the box that it is for "cool" not "cold" temps (which it doesn't say on the web site). It functions well as a standard baselayer and probably has better ventilation than my others. However, for the price, and the compromise of fit/comfort (windstopper is not flexible) I would just use my normal Target/C9 baselayers. A little bit tight in size M on me, but good for a baselayer.

Comment on Stan L.'s review:

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Warmth for cold days

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Have a couple of these shirts after years of trying out others. Will be my go to base layer on cold days from now one. Stays dry and warm even on long rides. Really stops the wind from cutting through. Fit is a little tight in shoulders but sits close to the body to help keep that warmth in.

Comment on Kevin B.'s review:

Buy this or freeze to death

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Unless you live in Florida, Arizona, Texas or Southern California, you need this undershirt. It will save you from freezing on chilly rides, it's amazingly versatile, it feels great, dries quick and is truly windproof. They're re-designed it since the last model I wore so it doesn't turn into a beating wet sail against your skin, instead the two-layer construction is comfortable. It's a bit tight, but think of it as a reminder to keep your beer consumption to a modest level, buy, ride, enjoy and repeat. Stay warm out there.

Comment on Seth C O.'s review:

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Early review...very different than Craft

Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I ordered both the Craft and Gore longsleeve windstopper baselayers. Sizing: Gore runs smaller. My 5'7" 140 fits the medium gore perfectly but the craft medium is too big and too long. Also the Gore feels much nicer against the skin. The gore also has more windstopper material as it runs down both sleeves. The craft only covers your core/trunk with windstopper. Both have a non-windstopper back so it breaths well. I don't have any rides in it yet but wanted to relay the sizing and also the feel of each. The gore windstopper feels more soft as the craft more "crinkly". I wanted something that helps down to upper 30's and mostly 40's. Both should work. I suspect the craft will help in colder conditions but only the core as it has no windstopper in the sleeves. The craft is thicker, heavier and the neck is much tighter (as with all craft base layers); craft wants to keep the wind from going down your neck but my other crafts irritate my neck too much. I'll keep the Gore for my purposes. The neck is more open but not by much; easier to take on/off and feels more like a fine soft jersey. The forearms are snug; these may loosen up over time. After reflecting on the neck you will probably want to ride with a neck gator or bandana if cold as I suspect the gore will let more air in.